Guide for current collectors



C. B. BUCHANAN'AND C. C. JOHNSON.

- GUIDE FOR CURRENT COLLECTORS.

APPLICATION FLED N0V11Z,192I

Patented J 3l, i922.

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cYRUs B. BUCHANAN, oF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND CHARLES C. JOHNSON, 0FRICHMOND,

" VIRCNIA.

GUIDE FOR CURRENT COLLECTORS, i

Application filed November 17, 1921. Serial No. 515,953.

To all 'whom t may concern. Be it known that we, Crans B. BUCHANAN andCHARLES' C. JoHNsoN, citizens of the United States, residing a-t NewYork, in the county and State of New York, and Richmond, in the countyof Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Guides for Current Collectors, of which the following isa speclcation.

Our invention relates to improvements 'in guides for voverhead trolleycurrent collectors.

One object of our invention is to provide a guide applied to over headdouble trolley wires so that at intersections, either'by crossings,turnouts or'switches, the current collector, used on motor vehiclesrunning on the roadway or street beside the trolley, is deflected orthrown below-the trolley wires and carried across the cross wires orswitches and guided back upon the trolley wires.

Another object of our invention is to provide means for guiding thetrolley head across the switch or crossing so that it will only havea'limited lateral movement and prevent the head from engaging the wiresand causing a short circuit through the trolley head and yet in nowayinterfering with the passage of the trolley wheels of the trolley-carspassing therethrough, without their removal.

Another object of our invention isto providel a guard of this characterwherebyin the operation of a double overhead trolley system, inconnection vwith a single overhead trolley system, both systems willoperate without interference with each other.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a guard of thischaracter which can be readily applied to the overhead wires withoutmaterial change, thus permitting the use of regular standard equipment,it being unnecessary to provide expensive special equipment, `for thepurposes set forth. Our invention has certain details of structure andcombinations of parts hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan View of my guard applied to the trolley Wires lookingfrom above.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 repre- Sent the two trolley wires,which, as will be readily understood, may be supported in any desiredmanner. The wires as shown are provided with the switches 3 leading offto the tracks over which the car travels in leaving the main wires, allof which is well understood and needs no further description. Ourimproved guard comprises the two guard rails 4 and Patented ldan.31,1922. I

5 which have their ends curved'outwardly, as indicated at 6- and 7,and'upwardly over the top of the trolley wires l 8 fastened'to the upperface of the wires,

whereby the ordinary trolley wheel 1s free to pass on thev lower face ofthe Wire between the guard rails 5 and 22, 37 and 22, 34 and,

31 and 43. and 34. The said guard rails 4 and 5 have connected ytheretothe hangers 9 'and 1() which havetheir upper ends connected to thetransverse bar 11 which extends outwardly above the wires and isconnected to blocks 12 carried by the Wires. The guard rail 5, asheretofore stated, is alle] with' the wire 2, while the rail 4 has itsinner end curved, as indicated at 18, parallel with the wire 14l oi thebranch line.

` The inner end of the rail 4 is connected to the hanger 15 which hasconnected thereto the bar 16, which has its ends 17 and 18 extending aconsiderable distance beyond the trolley wires 14 and 2. A second bar 19is arranged practically parallel with the bar 16 and the two bars areconnected together alt their outer ends beyond the trolley wires 2 and14 -by the guard rails 20, 21, 22 and 23,`

1 and 2 and secured to blocks practically parare. parallel with thewires 14 and 2, re-

spectively, the guard rail 20 beingparallel .with the guard rail 21, and

the guard rail 22 being parallel with the guard rail 23 between the bars16'and 19 and curved outward at 25. The outer end of the guard rails20and 23 are slightly curved outwardly, as

indicated at 2G, to form guides for the current collecton27, shown indotted lines, F ig. 1, and which 1s of the form shown in our copendingapplication, Serial No. 488,985,1iledl August 1, 1921. v

Connecting the bars 11, 16 and 19 is a bar 28 which braces the same andextends beyond the bar 19 and is connected at its other end to thetransverse bai" 29.` Connected to the bars 16 and 19 by the hangers 30of the form loo shown and heretofore described is a guard rail 31 whichextends parallel-with the wire. 14 and has an outwardly 'curved end 32.

Connected to or suspended from the bars 19 and 29 by.v hangers 33 is aguard rail 34 which extends parallel with the wire 55 of the branchline. Also suspended from the bars 19 and 29 by brackets 3G is a guardrail 37 which extends parallel with the wire 2 of the main line and hasits end curved outwardly, as indicated at 38, and upwardly and fastenedto a block 39 carried by the'wire 2. Connected with the bar 19 is aguard rail 40, which is also supported by the bar 29 said guard railhaving its outer end curved outwardly and upwardly at 41 and secured ltothe block 42 carried by the trolley wire 14. Secured to the bar 29 is aguard rail 43, which has its outer end curved outwardly and upwardly at44 and secured to the block 45 carried by the branch wire 35. Secured tothe bar 29 is a guard rail 4G, which has its outer end curved outwardlyand upwardly at 47 and secured to the block 48 carried by the wire l(lFrom the foregoing description it will be seen that the guard plates areso arranged that a current collector of the character as covered by ourpending application as heretofore referred to will prevent any liabilityof a short circuit between the positive and negative wires, and returnsthe current collector to its proper contact. The negative current isbroken at 49 and 50 on the wire 1 and at the point 52 on wire 14. lebridge across the insulated area by a wire, as shown at 53, 54 and 55,said wire' being supported in any desired manner. The head 27 isprovided with the two collecting surfaces G and 59 separated by theinsulating block 58, the collecting surfaces engaging the positive andnegative wires, as will be readily understood.' The head at the outerend is provided with the retaining plates 57 and 60, which prevent thehead from leavingv the wires. As a vehicle approaches a switch itnaturally turns slightly, causing a pull on the collector head whichcauses the insulating block 58 to engage the guard rail 4 as the head 27is guided below the wires. Previous to the block' passing 0E of theguard rail 4 the retaining plate 57 passes between the guard rails 2()and 21, and as the pull of the head is in the direction of the switchthe said plate 57 will engage the inner face of the guard railand travelthereon until the insulated block 58 comes opposite the guard rail 40.The opposite lateral movement of the collector head isy G0 prevented bythe block 58- engaging the guard rail 31. After the head has traveledalong'it engages the upwardly curved portion of the rails 4l and 44 andthe collector is gradually allowed to raise and pass to the trolleywires, where it again receives the current. 1f the vehicle is not goingto turn, but is going straight ahead, the insulated block 58 will followthe guardr rail 5 and-the retaining plate ('30 of the head lwill engagethe guard rail 23. `When the collector reaches the break between theguide rails 5 and 37 it holds the head so thatithe insulated block willbe brought into position against the guard rail 37.

. A vehicle entering from the opposite direction on the main line,` theinsulated block of the trolley head passes between the guard rails 37and 46. Before the block reaches the end of the guard rail 37 the guardplate 69 passes between the guards 22 and 23 and prevents any materiallateral movement of the head. Before the guard plate 60 passes frombetween the guard rails 22 and 23 the insulated block 58 passes betweenthe guard rails 4 and 5 and is guided by the same so that as the headleaves the same the head is in a position so that the collectingsurfaces will engage the wires 1 and 2 and receive the currenttherefrom. A vehicle entering from the branch line, the insulated block58 of the head would pass between the guard rails 4() and 43 and beguided thereby. rthere would be an outward pull on the head to cause theinsulated block to ride against the guard rail 40. Before the insulatedblock passes beyond the end of the guard rail 40 the guide plate 57 ofthe head would pass between the guard rails 20 and 21, and any materiallateral movement of the head is prevented. The insulated block 58 of the100 head is further guided by the guard plate 31 to cause it to passbetween the curved end i3 of the guard rail, whereby it is guided intothe space between the guard rails 4 and 5, and in leaving the guardrails 4 and 5 the 1.05 collecting surfaces are in a position to engagethe positive and negative wires 1 and 2.

lhile l have shown and described this specific arrangement of bars andguide rails, it will be understood that the same could be varied withoutdeparting from the scope of our invention, to guide the head asheretofore set forth when passing through -a prescribed area, of onepolarity at different angles..

Then the intersection is at right angles, the guide bars 4 and 5terminate at the plate ll and in each case the trolley wheel is free topass through the said area.

lla ving thus described our invention, what we lclaim and desire tosecure by liet-ters Patent is,

l. The combination with a two wire trolle)v system. of a guard or guideadapted to vcarry the trolley head of the two wire system down below thetrolley Wires at crossings. switches or at any desired point.

2. The combination with a two wire trolley system, of a guardvsupportedby the wires, the negative wires insulated there; 13@

from, and adapted to carry the trolley head, of the two wire system downbelow the trolley wires, and carry it across switches or crossings outof engagement with the trolley wires.

3. The combination with a two wire trolley system, ot' a guard supportedby the wires and insulated from the negative wire or wires 4andextending below the wires leaving the free passa-ge for the trblleyivheels but adapted to force the trolley head, of the two `wire system,down from the w1res and carry 1t across switches, crossings', or ades1red area to prevent engagement with the wires or switches or short lthe headto resume Contact with the double movement thereof.

circuit.

5. T he combination with a two wire trolley system, of a gnard'eomposedof plates having flared ends supported by the wires and4 insulated fromthe negative wire or wires and extending below the wires and arrangedktotorce the' trolley head below the wires and prevent any material lateral6. The combination aitwo wire trolleysystem, of insulators insertedV inthe negative wire or wires, whereby a pre- I scribed areais formed andin which area all wires, switches, crossings are adapted to he ofpositive polarity.

7. The combination with a two rwire trolley system, and within aprescribed area of positive polarity, ot guita bars supported by thetrolley wires, and adapted to carry the current collector head of thetwo wire trolley system .down below the plane of the trolley wires atswitches, crossings, or at any desired point.

8. The combination with a two wire trol-` ley system, ot a guardcomposed of spaced approximately parallel plates, having outwardly daredends, supported by the wires and insulated from thenegative wire orwires and extending below the wires and arranged to allow the treepassage of the trolley wheel and force the double Contact trolley headbelow vthe 'wires and arranged to prevent any material lateral movementof the head.

9. The combination with a two wire trol-v ley system, of guide barsarranged appresimately parallel to the trolley wires, supportingx barsconnecting said guide bars, and

supported by the trolley wires, the guide bars and support bars adaptedto conduct the positive current throughout the prescribed area, meansfor bridging thev negative current vover the said area, lsaid guide barsbeing so arranged to allow lthe free passage of trolley wheels and forcethe current collector head of the two wire trolley system down below theplane of the trolley wires, and said guide bars arranged to limit thelateral movement of the head while passing through the prescribed areaof posit tive polarity.

10. The combination with a two wire trol= ley syste-m, and within aprescribedafrea of throughout-by the positive wire or wires, andadapted-to carry the current collector head of the two wire trolleysystem down below the plane o1 the trolley wires at switches, crossings,or any desired point, and resume contact with the double trolley system.f

. .50 positive polarity, of guide bars` chtrgedpf 11. The combinationwith artwo wire trol-` ley system, and within a prescribed area ofApositive polarity, 0f aI guide`composed of spaced substantiallyparallel plates, ar-l ranged parallel the wires and having outl wardlyflaredV ends, cross bars connecting said plates, meansor connecting saidplates to the wires below the same toallow the free passage of thetrolley wheels and force 'adapted to force the current collector head'the double contact trolley head below the of the two wire trolleysystem down below. the plane of the trolley wires, switches, I

crossings, and carry it under, through and across the trolley wires,switches.' crossings, without engagement with said trolley wires,

switches, crossings, and cause said head to resume contact with thedouble trolley system. I

13. The combination with a two wire trolley system, and within aprescribed area of positive polarity, of guide bars supported` fil.'

trolley system, within a prescribed area of one polarity, of a guidecomposed of spaced substantially parallel plates arranged substantiallyparallel the wires and overlappingeach other and having outwardly flaredends, means for supporting the plates by the wires below the same toallow the free passage of trolley wheels over the trolley wires,withoutv interrupting the positive current, and said plates arranged toenga-ge the double contact head and force it down below the Wires andguide it across the switches or crossings or a desired area and hold itagainst any material lateral movement and cause the head to again engagethe wires.

l5. The combination with a two wire 'trolley system, of a guide composedof' spaced parallel plates arranged parallel the wires and havingoutwardly dared ends, cross' bars connecting said plates, the plates andcross bars adapted to conduct the positive current throughout theprescribed area, means for bridging the negative current over said area,means for connecting said plates to the wires below the same 'to allowthe free passage ol the trolley wheels and forcetlie double contacttrolley head below the wires and said plates arranged to hold the headagainst any material lateral movement, while passing through theprescribed area of positive polarity and cause the head to resumecontact with the negative wire.

16. The combination with a two wire trolley system, and within aprescribed area of positive polarity, of guide bars sup ported by thetrolley wires and extending below the wires, so arranged as to provide afree passage for trolley wheels, but adapted to force the currentcollector head of the two wire trolley system down below the plane ofthe trolley wires, to limit the lateral movements of said head, to carrylit under, through and across the trolley wires at switches, crossings,and cause it to resume contact with the double trolley system.

17. rThe combination with a two wire trolley system, and within aprescribed area of positive polarity, oft' guide bars arrangedapproximately parallel to the trolley wires, supported by the trolleywires, extending below the plane of the trolley wires, arranged to allowthe .free passage of trolley wheels, to force the current collector headof the two wire system down below the plane of the trolley wires and tolimit the lateral movement of the head.

18. The combination with a two wire' trolley system, of guide barscomposed of hars arranged approximately parallel to the trolley wires,supportinV bars connecting said guide bars, means or connecting saidproximately parallel to the trolley wiresl and overlapping each other atcertain points,

causing bearing surfaces for passage of the current collector head,means for supporting said uide bars from the trolley wires to allow thefree passage of trolley Wheels in contactwith the positive wire or wireswitl1- out interrupting the positive current, said guide. bars arrangedto engage the current collector head, force it down below the plane ofthe trolley wires, guide it under, through and across the trolley wires,switches, crossings, or a desired area, limit the lateral movement ofthe head, and cause the head to again engage the wires.

ln testimony whereof 'we aliix our signatures.`

crans e?. nnonanan. errantes e. Jonsson.

